Kaler Kantho journalist attacked, phone snatched during live broadcast

Law enforcement agencies conducted a raid at Javan Residential Hotel in Tongi of Gazipur late Friday night following allegations of illegal activities.

During a live broadcast of the operation, Kaler Kantho multimedia reporter Al Amin was attacked and injured by unidentified individuals, forcing the live stream to be abruptly cut off.

According to sources, anti-social activities had allegedly been taking place at the hotel for a long time.

Police, RAB, and even army personnel have previously raided the hotel, leading to the arrest of several individuals and sealing off of the hotel. However, the hotel reportedly never remained closed for even a single day.

On Friday night, a team from the Detective Branch (South Division) of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) with the assistance of Tongi East Police Station carried out another operation at the hotel. Kaler Kantho’s multimedia team was broadcasting the raid live when the incident occurred.

Witnesses said several people attacked reporter Al Amin during the live coverage, snatched his mobile phone, and stopped the broadcast. Fellow journalists later rescued him from the scene.

Al Amin said, “While I was broadcasting live, I was attacked, and the live stream was cut off. The assailants then beat me and tried to drag me inside the hotel. My colleagues rescued me and took me to Tongi Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital, where I received primary treatment before returning home.”

He also claimed that a patrol vehicle from Tongi East Police Station briefly stopped near the scene during the attack but left soon afterward.

When contacted, Tongi East Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Wahiduzzaman said, “We are aware of the incident and are investigating the matter.”